Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Senate advances H.545 to let state health commissioner issue temporary immunization recommendations through 2031 H.545 would let the Vermont health commissioner issue 'recommended immunizations' (shifting some recommendation authority from the CDC to the state through July 1, 2031), preserve vaccine purchasing and coverage for ages 0–64, authorize pharmacists and supervised pharmacy technicians to administer certain vaccines, and creates advisory roles; the Senate proposed to the House amendments and ordered third reading.

The Vermont Senate has taken a bold step by advancing H.545, allowing the state health commissioner to set temporary immunization recommendations, ensuring vaccine access through 2031.

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#VT #CivicAccountability #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #ImmunizationAccess

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Health department warns lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium in baby food can cause lasting harm; suggests AGO enforce compliance Deputy Commissioner Julia Rell and State Toxicologist Andrea Kirk told the committee lead, mercury, arsenic and cadmium can impair development in infants and toddlers; the department suggested the Attorney General’s Office may be a more appropriate enforcement entity than the health department.

Disturbing findings reveal that toxic metals like lead and mercury in baby food pose serious risks to infant health, potentially hindering their development and future well-being.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #PublicSafety #ChildDevelopment #FoodSafety

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Health committee finalizes budget letter, ranks top 10 priorities and asks Appropriations to review Legislative Council presented the committee's FY2027 budget memo and ranked top 10 priorities (including home health/referral clinics, AHEC, Vermont Care Partners and Medicaid rate increases); the committee approved sending the memo to the House Appropriations Committee by straw poll and asked for an attached spreadsheet of all requests.

Vermont's health committee has unveiled its top 10 priorities for the 2027 budget, pushing for critical funding and transparency in healthcare initiatives.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #CommunityHealthAccess #VermontHealth #HealthCareReform #BudgetTransparency

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Lawmakers press Health Department on immunization, loan‑repayment and AHEC cuts Committee members probed the Department of Health’s reclassification of budget lines, an approximately $1.8 million immunization increase driven by spending‑authority adjustments, and proposed reductions affecting the Area Health Education Center and loan‑repayment programs; staff were asked to provide data on program impact and allowable rural health grant uses.

Lawmakers are raising alarms over potential cuts to vital health programs, questioning how budget reclassifications could impact immunization efforts and clinician recruitment in underserved areas.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #ImmunizationSupport #HealthBudget #VermontHealth #RuralHealth

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

H.545 would let Vermont health commissioner set recommended immunizations for six years; committee hears legal and financial implications Committee considered H.545, which would decouple some statutory references to CDC recommended immunizations and instead allow the Vermont Commissioner of Health to determine recommended immunizations for six years, with a sunset and no current appropriations; counsel said insurer reimbursement and pharmacist authority language would be aligned to the commissioner's recommendations.

Vermont's new bill H.545 could redefine recommended immunizations by empowering the Health Commissioner to make crucial decisions for the next six years!

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#VT #LegislativeReform #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #ImmunizationPolicy

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Senate Health & Welfare advances H.545 to full Senate after committee review of immunization authority The Senate Health & Welfare Committee voted to advance H.545 (draft 2.1), which temporarily allows the state Commissioner of Health to recommend certain immunizations and ties some insurer coverage and pharmacy authority to those recommendations; the measure will be reported and go to the full Senate.

The Vermont Senate Health & Welfare Committee has just advanced a pivotal bill that could change how immunizations are recommended and administered in the state!

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#VT #LegislativeReform #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #ImmunizationPolicy

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1 month ago

Committee narrows opioid‑settlement and rural‑health allocations, directs prevention funds for selected programs During a budget markup session, the Joint Fiscal Committee moved to fund several recovery‑oriented programs from opioid settlement and other sources, directed the Department of Health to use cannabis‑funded prevention dollars for multiple prevention requests, and asked staff to add sustainability language before final appropriation.

The Joint Fiscal Committee is taking crucial steps to allocate opioid settlement funds for recovery programs, but will the push for sustainability ensure these vital services don’t vanish when the money runs out?

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#VT #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #PreventionFunding

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

House Human Services reviews H.66 D opioid‑settlement appropriations, accepts Health Department reversions The House Human Services committee reviewed draft H.66 D on Feb. 11, accepted several Department of Health reversion recommendations to prior appropriations, and agreed to adopt VDH funding levels for key recovery residence and corrections peer‑recovery line items while requesting additional detail on outstanding discrepancies.

The House Human Services committee is making crucial decisions on opioid settlement funds, with proposed changes that could significantly impact recovery services in Vermont!

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#VT #RecoveryServices #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #OpioidAbatement

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 month ago

Bill would let Vermont health commissioner recommend vaccines and shield providers from liability A Vermont Senate committee reviewed a draft bill that would allow the state health commissioner to issue vaccine recommendations independent of CDC guidance and would grant civil and administrative immunity to health care professionals who follow those recommendations except in cases of gross negligence, recklessness or intentional misconduct; the provision would sunset on 07/01/2031.

Vermont is taking a bold step by allowing its health commissioner to recommend vaccines independently of federal guidelines while protecting healthcare providers from liability—what could this mean for public health?

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#VT #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth

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2 months ago

Department of Health details grant shifts, appropriation transfers and a net staffing decline in FY27 plan Financial Director Megan Polk told the committee the department plans several internal transfers (Narcan program to Substance Use appropriation, school Medicaid claiming to Agency of Education/DEVA, preschool-development duties to DCF), expects continued federal grants and noted a net reduction of 16 positions with a 3% vacancy-savings rate in the budget despite an actual ~8% vacancy; the committee also discussed single-audit findings and the upcoming joint fiscal committee review of the Rural Health Transformation grant.

The Department of Health is making significant shifts in funding and staffing for FY27, including a $195 million Rural Health Transformation grant that could reshape public health initiatives in Vermont.

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#VT #VermontHealth #GrantManagement #PublicHealth #StaffingChallenges

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Vermont health officials urge focusing opioid settlement funds on long‑term recovery housing and operations The Vermont Department of Health told the House Human Services committee it recommends concentrating opioid settlement dollars on long‑term recovery housing and ongoing operations, not short‑term projects; officials also proposed technical reversions and a statutory correction for a medication dosing unit in Chittenden County.

Vermont health officials are prioritizing long-term recovery housing over short-term fixes for opioid settlement funds, urging a strategic approach to sustainable support.

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#VT #VermontHealth #PublicHealth #OpioidRecovery #CitizenPortal #LongtermSupport

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Vermont panel reviews bill letting state set temporary vaccine recommendations, preserves access and limited liability for providers Senate Health & Welfare reviewed H.545, which would let the Vermont Department of Health issue a six-year, state-level "recommended immunization" schedule, preserve vaccine purchasing and insurer coverage, and provide limited civil protections for providers; witnesses emphasized the bill is not a mandate and urged preserving access amid reported vaccine-confidence declines.

Vermont's Senate Health & Welfare committee is poised to reshape vaccine access by proposing state-level immunization recommendations, but is it the solution we need?

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#VT #VermontHealth #PublicHealth #VaccineAccess #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Senate Health & Welfare hears Legislative Counsel review of 2025 health acts, from market unmerging to medical debt relief Legislative counsel Jen Garvey briefed the Senate Health & Welfare committee on a package of 2025 health-related acts, highlighting permanent unmerging of individual and small-group insurance markets, new Medicaid rate-setting requirements for community-based providers, a $1 million medical debt-relief appropriation, and temporary powers for the Green Mountain Care Board to address insurer insolvency.

Vermont's Senate Health & Welfare committee just received a game-changing briefing on 2025 health acts, including the historic unmerging of insurance markets and a $1 million medical debt relief initiative!

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#VT #HealthInsuranceReform #VermontHealth #MedicaidPolicy

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Health commissioner tells Senate Appropriation he will prioritize immunizations, substance-use treatment and access to care Department of Health Commissioner Bill Grant told the Senate Appropriation panel on Jan. 13 that his immediate priorities are maintaining vaccine access amid federal guidance changes, expanding substance-use disorder treatment and improving transportation and regionalized care to reduce hospital readmissions.

Vermont's Health Commissioner Bill Grant is prioritizing immunization access and innovative solutions for substance-use treatment, but challenges like transportation barriers remain critical.

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#VT #VermontHealth #PublicHealth #SubstanceUseTreatment #AccessToCare #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Health Department requests general-fund backing for Planned Parenthood services and housekeeping transfers At the Jan. 13 Senate Appropriation meeting the Department of Health presented budget adjustments including a housekeeping transfer of digital-service costs (B3 11), a request to use general funds to replace Global Commitment dollars for Planned Parenthood of Northern New England after a federal HR 1 pause on Medicaid payments, and a one-time $163,000 reversion item.

The Vermont Department of Health is seeking crucial budget adjustments to ensure Planned Parenthood services continue amid federal funding disruptions.

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#VT #BudgetTransparency #VermontHealth #MedicaidSupport #CitizenPortal #HealthcareFunding

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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2 months ago

Senate Health & Welfare reviews 12-page inventory of incoming reports, flags missing filings and overlaps Senate Health & Welfare staff reviewed a 12-page list of reports due to the committee on Jan. 8, flagged multiple missing or inconsistently filed items (including a Choices for Care quarterly report), and asked members to prioritize which recurring reports warrant continued oversight.

Vermont's Senate Health & Welfare committee is tackling a mountain of critical reports, questioning what's truly essential for oversight in health programs.

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#VT #ReportingEfficiency #VermontHealth #HealthCareOversight #FiscalTransparency #CitizenPortal

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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9 months ago

Vermont updates Health Information Technology Plan for improved patient data sharing Vermont's Department of Health Access revises statewide Health Information Technology Plan to enhance care.

Vermont is taking a big step towards better healthcare by revising its Health Information Technology Plan to improve patient data sharing!

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#VT #PatientPrivacy #CitizenPortal #HealthCare #VermontHealth #DataSharing

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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10 months ago

Senate opposes federal cuts to health services and supports science-based research Senate resolution condemns job cuts and funding reductions impacting health services and research.

Vermont lawmakers are sounding the alarm over federal cuts that could eliminate 20,000 jobs and devastate essential health services for residents.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #MentalHealthSupport #PublicHealth #VermontHealth #ScientificIntegrity

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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10 months ago

Department of Health enforces confidentiality rules on birth center inspections Department of Health protects private information from public disclosure following inspections

Vermont's Department of Health is taking a stand to safeguard your privacy during birth center inspections!

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#VT #PrivacyProtection #HealthInspection #PublicSafety #VermontHealth #CitizenPortal

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11 months ago

Vermont Health Access proposes amendments to H.13 budget ahead of Senate vote Vermont Health Access requests key amendments for H.13 budget before imminent Senate vote.

Vermont's Senate is on the brink of a crucial vote that could reshape health services with a $40 million budget proposal, but will urgent calls for faster implementation be heard?

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#VT #HealthCareReform #BudgetAllocation #VermontHealth #CitizenPortal #VulnerablePopulations

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11 months ago

Vermont Health Department enhances rare disease screening and data collection efforts Vermont's Health Department strengthens programs for screening rare diseases and connecting families to care.

Vermont is taking a bold step forward in healthcare by enhancing rare disease screening and support for families in need.

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#VT #CitizenPortal #HealthOutcomes #VermontHealth #RareDiseases #InsuranceCoverage

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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11 months ago

Vermont committee discusses H238 to reduce PFAS exposure in consumer products Committee members support H238's targeted approach to limit harmful PFAS chemicals in Vermont.

Vermont's Senate is on the brink of a groundbreaking decision that could reshape how we manage harmful PFAS chemicals in everyday products.

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#VT #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalSafety #VermontHealth #ConsumerProtection

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 year ago

Health experts analyze PFAS impacts on cholesterol liver function and cancer risks Experts present strong evidence linking PFAS exposure to health issues including cancer and pregnancy effects

Senators are sounding the alarm on the alarming health impacts of PFAS exposure, linking it to serious conditions like cancer and pregnancy complications.

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#VT #CancerRisks #EnvironmentalToxins #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 year ago

Legislature updates PFAS regulations and effective dates across consumer products in new act New act revises PFAS definitions and implementation timelines for consumer products and apparel.

Vermont is stepping up its game against harmful PFAS chemicals with new regulations and a comprehensive framework aimed at safeguarding public health and the environment!

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#VT #EnvironmentalRegulation #PublicHealth #CitizenPortal #VermontHealth #ConsumerProtection

Citizen Portal News Vermont

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1 year ago

Senate committee passes age 31 health bill with unanimous vote The Senate committee favorably passed age 31, ensuring it progresses to the floor next week.

Vermont's Senate Health and Welfare Committee just made a historic move by unanimously passing the Age 31 health bill, signaling a strong commitment to tackle crucial health issues in the state.

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#VT #HealthPolicy #CommunityWellbeing #LegislativeAction #VermontHealth

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1 year ago

Vermont Health Department outlines budget priorities focusing on health equity and prevention Commissioner Levine presents Vermont's health budget emphasizing health equity and environmental health.

Vermont's health officials are championing a bold budget that prioritizes health equity and environmental safety to ensure every resident has the opportunity for a healthier future.

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#VT #HealthEquity #VermontHealth #CitizenPortal #EnvironmentalHealth #PublicHealth